I will be using a digital multimeter to obtain my readings. This is a much more accurate method as opposed to using software readouts.

To record idle voltages, I simply let the system sit idle in Windows. For load voltages, I ran two instances of Prime95 (one per core), Winamp, AIM, multiple FireFox windows, all while playing Need for Speed: Underground II @ max settings. The two 120mm fans were run at full speed via the fan controller as well as the two fans on the heatsink. This combination of programs should fully stress the system components. For the 12v rails, I tested several connectors within the computer and got the average of those numbers, which is reported below. I feel this is better than testing each 12v rail and having a huge chart of results. Below are the results.

Findings and Conclusion

As you can see from the results above, this is a very stable and powerful unit. It had no problem at all supplying my overclocked system with all of the juice it needed, even under full load. Also, there was very little fluctuation between idle and load voltages.

As you have seen in the pictures throughout the review, this is one gorgeous power supply. It is easily the best looking unit I have seen in person to date. The reflection that the EvoStream gives off is amazing. But, like anything that is shiny, it picks up dirt and especially fingerprints very easily. I was careful in handling the unit during the photo shoot to minimize getting it dirty. Modular cables are becoming the norm these days and it's nice to see that technology used here. OCZ provided plenty of cables... well, almost. One problem I ran into: only one 4-pin "floppy" cable is given. This can be an issue if you need one of these cables for your motherboard... and another for say, a floppy drive or a fan controller. Aside from this, I found no other issues with the included cables. They are UV reactive but unfortunately I did not have a UV cathode on hand to show what type of reaction they would have to the black light. Like all "plastic" sleeved cables, there is a bit of stiffness, but nothing too major. The EvoStream is backed by OCZ's 3 year PowerSwap warranty program, so in the event that the unit goes bad during this time, you will not be stuck without a power supply (and essentially, without a computer).

With all of the "good" that comes with this unit, I really only found one major problem with the EvoStream. If you recall, the specifications described the 80mm cooling fan as "aggressive" and "vigorous". Well, this is absolutely true. I immediately noticed the noise from the blue LED fan when I first powered up this unit. This fan is now easily the loudest fan in my entire system. This may not bother some people, but for those of you who like a quiet system... well, you won't find that with the EvoStream.

As of writing (10-9-2006) pricing for the EvoStream 600w was not available.